Challenges remain for women executives

Naples, Fla. — The calendar says 2019, but women executives still face challenges in plastics and other fields.

A panel of women featured in Plastics News' Women Breaking the Mold coverage addressed some of these topics March 6 at the Plastics News Executive Forum, in Naples, in a discussion led by Laurie Harbour, president and CEO of Harbour Results Inc.

"You really need to have balance with your spouse and take turns with family responsibilities," said Anita Quillen, president and CEO of Diversified Engineering & Plastics in Jackson, Mich.

Kristi Wiechmann, vice president of Specialty Manufacturing Inc. in Saginaw, Mich., said she was able to find some ​ work-life balance by working from home at times.

"I showed that I could get the job done by working remotely," she added.

Perception continues to play a role for women in the workplace. "Some people question your ability; they look at your age," Quillen said. "But I look at it like if I don't know something, I'm going to learn it."

Christina Keller, president and CEO of Cascade Engineering in Grand Rapids, Mich., added that "it can be hard to come in to a new environment if no one looks like you."

Facing challenges in the workplace in some cases has helped women executives to be more understanding of other employees.

"I think it's made us more empathetic to the needs of production workers who want to attend their kids' events," said Cathy Browne, general manager of Crown Poly in Huntington Park, Calif.

"We mentor men as well as women," she added. "I'm still at our company because I'm challenged every day."

In working with employees, Keller said that "it's important to make them feel like they can solve problems on their own."